Sapa Hill Tribes (5 days)
Hanoi – Sapa – Tavan Village – Ban Ho Village
Highlights
-
French influence hill station of Sapa
-
2 1/2 day trek through stunning Muong Hoa Valley
-
Homestay with hill tribe families
-
Hanoi sightseeing
Overview
This is an enjoyable trek as most walking is downhill through the picturesque valleys of the Sapa region. From Hanoi, you travel overnight by train to reach Sapa, the delightful former French hill station situated in the mountainous region of Vietnam's northwest, near the Chinese border. The region is home to many ethnic minority groups, each wearing traditional and ornately decorated clothes. Trek hills and valleys to discover several different hill tribes. On this adventure you trek hills and valleys to discover several different hill tribes and experience traditional culture when you overnight in the villages of Giay and Tay ethnic minorities.
In Hanoi, you visit Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and the Museum of Ethnology, a well presented display of Vietnam’s major ethnic minority groups. Take a relaxing cyclo tour of Hanoi’s Old Quarter as you weave your way through the tangled streets of this ancient merchants’ quarter.
Itinerary at a glance
Day 1 |
Arrive Hanoi and check into hotel. The rest of the day is free. |
Day 2 |
Hanoi sightseeing & museum tour, overnight train to Lao Cai. |
Day 3 |
Drive to Sapa. Commence trek via the picturesque valley of Muong Hoa to reach Tavan village to overnight in a local house. |
Day 4 |
Trek across mountains, bamboo forests and terraced rice fields to Ban Ho Village for an overnight stay in a local home. |
Day 5 |
Short trek to the road for a jeep ride back to Sapa. Afternoon free to relax, shop at the markets or explore the town. Late afternoon transfer to Lao Cai for overnight train to Hanoi. Arrive around 4.30 - 5.00am the next morning where your trip ends. |
Prices
Price Per Person |
Twin Share |
3 to 4 people
|
$520 |
2 people |
$590 |
| Single supplement | $85 |
Validity |
31 March 2009 |
Prices are in Australian dollars based upon the number of people travelling together. Price is land content only + subject to currency fluctuations. See Booking Conditions for more details. Prices beyond 31/03/09 available on request. Price reduces as your travel group size increases. Call 1300 43 10 69 for other prices and different travel options.
Includes:
- Hotel accommodation based on twin share. If a single room is required a single supplement will apply.
- Homestay permission
- Airport transfer upon arrival to Hanoi to your hotel
- Round trip 4-berth soft sleeper train cabin
- One way transfer from Hanoi to train station
- Return transfers between Lao Cai and Sapa
- English speaking guide for sightseeing tour & trekking
- One bottle of water per day for trekking
- Entrance & sightseeing fees
- Donation for teaching materials to hill tribe school
- Equipment as listed in 'Trip notes'
Meals:
- 4 Breakfasts
- 2 Lunches
- 2 Dinners
Excludes:
- Airfares and departure taxes
- Travel insurance
- Visa, passport or vaccination costs
- Other meals not specified in the itinerary
- Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, bar charges, tips, optional activities
Trip notes
Hotel + homestays
In Hanoi you stay in a centrally located and comfortable hotel with private facilities. Standard hotels have a three star rating. For an additional cost you can upgrade you to a 4 or 5 star hotel. It is possible to leave some luggage in a secure storage room in Hanoi while you are trekking in Sapa.
Homestays in villages are simple in terms of bedding and amenities. You are provided with a mattress, clean sheet, pillow, sleeping bag and mosquito net. Accommodation and amenities are shared. Toilets are usually western-style.
Overnight train trips
You travel overnight by train between Hanoi and Lao Cai sleeping in a 4-berth soft-sleeper cabin with shared amenities. Sheet and pillow are supplied. In Hanoi, your guide accompanies you to the train station and shows you to your cabin. In Lao Cai, your local guide meets you at the station for your transfer to Ben Den. When you return to Hanoi at the end of your adventure, it is easy to find a taxi to your hotel.
Food
A local cook accompanies your trekking tour. All meals, indicated in the detailed itinerary, are included in the price. When you are trekking, the emphasis is on healthy and nutritious fresh local produce, for example; Vietnamese spring rolls, eggs, chicken, pork, rice and noodles. Please advise us if you have any special dietary requirements.
The trekking day
A typical trekking day starts at around 8.30am. We aim to reach the next overnight stop between 4.30pm and 5.00pm. During the trek you have short breaks for rests, snacks and plenty of opportunity for photographs.
Local guides
English speaking guides support your sightseeing and trekking activities. These guides love their job and are on hand to ensure you have a great trip. They have extensive experience in guiding outdoor tours in North Vietnam and have internationally recognized first aid qualifications.
What to bring
Pack lightly for the trek, no more than 10kg as you are carrying your own luggage. Remember, you are only going for two nights and can leave a change of clothes in Sapa for your return. Use your day pack and travel wallet to carry your personal items and important documents. We recommend using a sturdy day pack with good back support and a water proof cover.
Your luggage should include: trekking boots or walking shoes; thongs or comfortable slip on shoes for evening; light weight long pants & shorts; shirt & t-shirt; warm clothes for at night; raincoat; hat, sunglasses; sun block; insect repellent; flashlight; essential toiletries; water bottle; camera & spare batteries; pen & paper; original passport; barley sugar / lollies for sustenance; zip lock bags; toilet paper and personal medication. Optional: sleeping bag is for the cooler months between November and February.
Equipment provided
Sleeping bag, silk inner sheet, first-aid kit, inflatable mattress, tent, walking pole and gaiters (on request).
Note on client safety
We reserve the right to deviate from this itinerary for any reason, including road and weather conditions, frequency of visits to a village or for any other factor that may impact client safety.
Your group + share accommodation
Prices are based upon twin share accommodation. A single traveller pays the single supplement price for sole use of a room. If you are travelling in a group of three and are happy to share a triple room and a triple room is available, you will not be charged the single supplement price. For groups of five or seven people, the single traveller pays the single supplement price if a triple room is not available or you do not want to share. The number of single rooms and triple rooms available may be limited – so book early to avoid disappointment.
Handy travel tips + travelling responsibly
For more information on how you can participate in sustainable tourism go to Handy Travel Tips. To help plan your trip go to Vietnam Visa + Travel Guide.
Please email us for futher information or call 1300 43 10 69 for more travel options and personalised itineraries.
